NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Night screenings, creative meetings and master classes were held at the Moskino cinema park

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Moskino Cinema Park hosted a weekend of various events for the whole family.

    Meetings with filmmakers

    As part of the program “The Last Session”, the director of the war film “Not on the Lists” Sergei Korotayev met with the audience at the Gonzaga Theater. He shared his impressions of working on the film and also talked about the construction of the “Brest Fortress” set.

    “When we drew sketches and diagrams of this set, which replicated the life-size Brest Fortress citadel with a 25-meter-high church, all the sites refused us. They said that we would never find a place for such a set, nor people who would undertake it. And so our team came to the Moskino cinema park, where they showed us a plot of land overgrown with grass and trees, provided builders, equipment, and we did it. A professional team of people in love with their work gathered, who with some superhuman effort did the impossible in three months. I think this is worthy of the Guinness Book of Records, because such a site had to be built in a year and a half,” the director said.

    The creator of the film added that in the future, when he finds a suitable script, he wants to film on the set of “Moscow in the 1940s.”

    The educational center hosted master classes on working with chromakey. Director Artem Nikolaev and cameraman Vladislav Kovalev showed guests how to set up lighting, work with a camera, and move correctly in the frame.

    Artem Nikolaev noted that it is very important for mentors that young guests come who want to learn how to work with a camera and be filmed. In the age of information technology and social networks, such skills in using technology are necessary. Children must understand how to present themselves, speak on camera and correctly voice their thoughts. Such classes are the essence of the modern educational process and help children decide on their future profession.”

    The master classes were conducted by young artist Nikita Malakhov, who showed the young participants several exercises and explained how to work in a team.

    The audience warmly received the performance of Anton Shagin, an actor from the Lenkom Mark Zakharov Theatre, who read his poems and spoke about his profession.

    “I visited this amazing venue, the Gonzaga Theatre, for the first time. I didn’t feel like I was performing surrounded by scenery, everything was alive – my poems, questions and the emotions of the audience. This is a wonderful hall with very good acoustics and comfortable lighting. I highly recommend coming to the cinema park to anyone who is looking for new experiences and wants to attend cozy meetings with actors, directors and other creators. We must pay tribute to all the organizers and creators of this powerful project for the development of our film industry,” the artist said.

    Viewing cult films

    Open-air film screenings were held at three venues at once. Spectators sat on soft poufs in front of a large screen on the central square and at the Moscow Center venue. Surrounded by decorations, viewers saw original films by directors from different countries: the adventure film Spirit of Baikal, the melodrama My Year in New York, the comedy Sleepless in Seoul, and many others. It was possible to watch films until two in the morning from your own car.

    At the Moskino Kinopark cinema, viewers saw the comedy film Faithful Friend (about the friendship between the writer Iris and a Great Dane named Apollo), the war drama Not Listed, the film Kraken, and the adventure comedy Deniskiny Rasskazy. In addition, children tried to make a film award and posters at master classes, took part in a film lottery, played big dominoes, mini-football, and took pictures among large-sized dishes — props from the film Cheburashka.

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of creation has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154070073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Winnie Ho begins Paris visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho yesterday began her trip to Paris, France, by visiting a social housing project, a zero carbon district and a construction innovation centre.

    At the social housing project which is undergoing renovation and will be upgraded into an energy saving and environmentally friendly building, Ms Ho learnt about how Paris minimises the impact of the works on the residents while they remain in place during the renovation.

    During the visit, she shared the Housing Authority’s (HA) experience in redeveloping aged public housing estates, including conducting detailed studies and listening carefully to stakeholders’ views through diversified means to forge a consensus and formulate the most suitable and cost-effective redevelopment plans.

    Furthermore, to enhance the sense of well-being of the residents, the Housing Bureau (HB) and the HA launched a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year.

    The guide serves as a reference for the future design of new public housing estates and the improvement works of existing estates to create a more comfortable and inclusive estate environment.

    In the afternoon, Ms Ho visited Îlot Fertile, a zero carbon district in Paris which is a composite development project with abundant green space, integrating social housing, offices, commercial, retail, hostels and more.

    Renewable energy systems and innovative construction technologies are adopted during the construction to implement low-carbon building initiatives and enhance energy efficiency in buildings.

    The housing chief pointed out that air ventilation assessments and microclimate studies are carried out for the HA’s new public housing developments to enhance environmental performance in aspects such as wind environment, natural ventilation and natural light exposure in buildings.

    The HB and the HA have also been actively promoting the application of innovative construction technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction, Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing and construction robotics.

    These help to enhance construction quality and efficiency, shorten construction time and greatly reduce material waste, making the construction more environment friendly.

    She said Hong Kong and Paris share the same vision in promoting energy saving and green buildings, and hoped to strengthen relevant co-operation between the two cities.

    Ms Ho then visited the Construction Innovation Centre at the Bouygues Construction headquarters and met Bouygues Construction Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pascal Minault and Deputy CEO Pierre-Éric Saint-André to exchange ideas on the latest smart building technologies, green building and sustainable urban development.

    She noted that Bouygues Construction and Dragages Hong Kong, headed by the group, have established a presence in Hong Kong for many years and contributed in various infrastructure, government buildings and public housing projects, and that she looked forward to continued collaboration in driving the industry to usher in a new era of smart construction.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Jobless rate rises to 3.4%

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    For the three months from February to April, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4%, a rise of 0.2 percentage points compared to the figures for January to March, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

    The underemployment rate also rose from 1.1% to 1.3% during the same period.

    Total employment fell by around 15,600 to 3,677,100, while the labour force also dropped by around 9,000 to 3,806,500.

    The number of unemployed people increased by around 6,600 to 129,400. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people rose by around 4,900 to 47,600.

    Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said that various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing a transitional period, adding that their unemployment rates may go upward or downward.

    However, he outlined that the recent easing of trade tensions, continued growth in the economy and the Government’s various measures to boost momentum will provide support to the labour market.

    Mr Sun said that although Hong Kong has experienced some recent shop closures, there have also been openings of many new shops, suggesting the emergence of new demand and new consumption trends. He also stressed that a significant increase in the number of inbound visitors will bring more opportunities to the labour market.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • PM Modi to visit Rajasthan on May 22, unveil development projects worth over ₹26,000 crore

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on May 22, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth over ₹26,000 crore. The visit will include a public address in Palana, Bikaner, and a darshan at the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke around 11:00 AM.

    Focus on Rail Infrastructure

    As part of the day’s events, PM Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Deshnoke Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and flag off the Bikaner-Mumbai express train. He will also launch 103 redeveloped Amrit Stations across 86 districts in 18 states and union territories, developed at a cost of over ₹1,100 crore. These stations integrate modern passenger amenities with regionally inspired architecture and improved accessibility, including facilities for Divyangjan.

    Reflecting India’s diverse cultural fabric, stations like Deshnoke, Thawe, and Begumpet are being redesigned to showcase traditional architectural styles and local art forms as part of a nationwide revamp covering over 1,300 railway stations.

    The Prime Minister will also dedicate six electrified rail lines across Rajasthan and lay the foundation stone for the Churu–Sadulpur rail line. These electrification projects, covering nearly 1,000 km, support Indian Railways’ goal of 100% electrification for enhanced operational efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

    Expansion of Road Network

    Significant investments in road infrastructure are also on the agenda, with PM Modi laying the foundation stone for three vehicle underpasses and several national highway upgrades. He will also dedicate seven major roadway projects in Rajasthan, collectively worth over ₹4,850 crore. These projects aim to improve connectivity to the Indo-Pak border, boosting both civilian mobility and national security.

    Push for Renewable Energy and Power Transmission

    The Prime Minister will further inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several power and renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar energy developments in Bikaner and Didwana Kuchaman. Projects under PowerGrid Mewar and Sirohi Transmission Ltd will bolster energy evacuation systems. The expansion of solar and transmission capacity is expected to provide clean energy and support India’s climate goals.

    State Projects: Roads, Health, and Water Supply

    A total of 25 state government projects will also be inaugurated or launched during the visit. These include improvements to over 750 km of state highways, with an additional 900 km planned under future phases, at a cost exceeding ₹3,240 crore. In the health sector, PM Modi will inaugurate nursing colleges in Rajsamand, Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, and Dholpur to enhance medical education and local healthcare capacity.

    Water infrastructure projects will also feature prominently. These include the Rural Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project in Jhunjhunu and the restructuring of urban water supply schemes in seven towns of Pali district under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

    This visit comes as part of the government’s broader push to enhance infrastructure, connectivity, and clean energy development across India’s heartland, with Rajasthan at the centre of several strategic initiatives.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK announces major sanctions in support of Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK announces major sanctions in support of Ukraine

    As President Putin ruthlessly intensifies his strikes against innocent Ukrainians, the UK is ramping up pressure with raft of 100 new sanctions.

    • UK announces wide-ranging sanctions on Russia as Putin launches his biggest ever drone attack against Ukraine.  

    • 100 sanctions targets across Russian military, energy, financial sectors and those conducting Putin’s information war against Ukraine.  

    • UK and partners are also working to tighten the Oil Price Cap, further restricting critical oil revenues for Putin’s war machine.

    As President Putin ruthlessly intensifies his strikes against innocent Ukrainians, the UK is ramping up pressure with raft of 100 new sanctions. 

    The latest sanctions targets include entities supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions helping to fund Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.    

    On Saturday, Russia fired 273 drones at Ukrainian cities, the biggest drone onslaught of the war.  A strike on a bus in Sumy killed nine civilians.  

    Putin has so far not put in place the full, unconditional ceasefire that President Trump has called for, and which President Zelenskyy endorsed over two months ago.  

    The UK’s latest sanctions action comes as the EU prepares to announce its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, in a co-ordinated effort to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.    

    Today’s measures sanction the supply chains of deadly Russian weapons systems, including Iskander missiles.  This will protect Ukrainian lives, and our collective security by disrupting Russia’s military machine.     

    Putin has repeatedly fired Iskander missiles into crowded civilian areas with a callous disregard for life.  He used these weapons during the strike against Sumy on 13 April that killed 34 civilians including children, some of them heading for Palm Sunday services.     

    UK and other Western sanctions are having a severe effect on Russia’s economy.  Russian GDP shrank in the first quarter of the year and the non-defence economy has been in recession for some time.  Security and defence spending is now over 40% of the federal budget, and Putin has had to raise taxes and slash social spending in order to continue the war.    

    Every rouble by which we cut Kremlin revenues diminishes Putin’s ability to sow chaos, division and disorder across the world and protects the British people, increasing security and prosperity at home.

    As the Prime Minister set out at the European Political Community summit on Friday, people in Ukraine and across the world have paid the price for Putin’s aggression and now he must pay the price for avoiding peace.

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Putin’s latest strikes once again show his true colours as a warmonger.  

    We urge him to agree a full, unconditional ceasefire right away so there can be talks on a just and lasting peace.   

    We have been clear that delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine to defend itself and use our sanctions to restrict Putin’s war machine.

    Today’s sanctions also target 14 more members of the Social Design Agency (SDA), which carries out Kremlin-funded information operations that are designed to undermine sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law in Ukraine and across the world.    

    The UK previously sanctioned the SDA and several of its leaders in 2024.  We are now targeting all levels of the organisation.    

    In addition, today’s measures will strike at the heart of Putin’s efforts to get around our sanctions and help block his failing attempts to reconnect to the international economy.   

    Today’s action targets 46 financial institutions that help Russian attempts to evade sanctions, as well as the St Petersburg Currency Exchange, and the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency which insures Russian banks.  These new sanctions will further isolate the Russian economy and disrupt Russia’s revenue streams.     

    Finally, the UK will also sanction 18 more ships in the ‘shadow fleet’ carrying Russians oil, along with the fleet’s enablers.  The Prime Minister announced 110 shadow fleet related sanctions ahead of his visit to Kyiv earlier this month.   

    Today’s targets include John Michael Ormerod, a British national who procured ships for Russia’s shadow fleet, and two Russian captains of shadow fleet tankers.  This action imposes a personal cost on those who are supporting Russia’s trade in oil and is another step in the Foreign Secretary’s personal mission to constrain the Kremlin and a crucial part of the Plan for Change to ensure a secure Britain.     

    The UK is also working with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap that limits the price that Russia can charge for its oil if transported using G7 services like insurance and shipping.  We are reviewing the $60 crude price level, with a view to lowering the cap closer to the cost of production and hitting Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues.

    Background

    The Full list of today’s targets can be found here

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Biden’s diagnosis underlines need for timely screening

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Former US President Joe Biden – photograph by Gage Skidmore/Flickr

    By Justin Stebbing, Anglia Ruskin University

    Former US President Joe Biden, aged 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, marking a serious escalation in the disease.

    The diagnosis was made after he sought medical help for worsening urinary symptoms – a decision that likely saved his life. A small nodule on his prostate led to further investigation, revealing a high-grade cancer with a Gleason score of nine out of 10. This score indicates one of the most aggressive and fast-growing types of prostate cancer.

    Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, especially affecting those over the age of 50. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder, responsible for producing seminal fluid.

    While many prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious harm, some – like Biden’s – are far more dangerous, capable of spreading quickly, often before symptoms are even noticed.

    The Gleason score is a critical tool used to grade prostate cancer based on how abnormal the cancer cells appear under a microscope. It ranges from six to 10, with higher scores indicating more aggressive disease.

    A score of nine suggests that the cancer cells are highly abnormal and likely to spread rapidly, requiring immediate and intensive treatment.

    In Biden’s case, the cancer has already metastasized – or spread – beyond the prostate, to the bones. This places him in stage four, the most advanced stage of prostate cancer. While not curable at this point, it is still treatable and can be managed with a combination of therapies aimed at slowing the disease’s progression and alleviating symptoms.

    A significant detail in Biden’s diagnosis is that the cancer is hormone-sensitive. Prostate cancer cells typically rely on male hormones such as testosterone to grow. Hormone-sensitive cancers can respond well to treatments that block or lower hormone levels – a common first step in managing the disease. This therapy may be combined with chemotherapy, targeted medications, and drugs that help reduce the risk of complications from bone metastases, such as fractures or severe pain.

    Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, which is why regular screening is crucial, especially for older men or those with a family history of the disease.

    When symptoms do appear, they might include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or maintaining urine flow, or a feeling that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied. More advanced cancer may manifest as pain in the hips, back, or pelvis, as well as fatigue or unexplained weight loss – all of which contributed to Biden’s decision to seek medical attention.

    While the news of Biden’s diagnosis has been met with concern, it has also sparked a wave of bipartisan support. Messages have poured in from political allies and opponents alike, including President Donald Trump. Beyond the personal response, Biden’s condition has reignited public discussions about prostate cancer – particularly around access to screening, the importance of early detection, and disparities in treatment outcomes.

    The reality is stark: one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. For many, it may never become life-threatening. But for others, it can be aggressive and fast-moving, underscoring the importance of vigilance and regular check-ups.

    Biden’s case is a sobering reminder that cancer doesn’t discriminate based on fame or status. It also serves as a testament to the power of listening to your body and seeking help when something feels wrong. Thanks to advancements in medical research, treatment options today are more effective than ever, offering patients a better quality of life – even in the face of a serious diagnosis.

    As Biden begins treatment, his journey may inspire more men to talk to their doctors, get tested and take their health seriously. With the right care and support, life with prostate cancer – even at stage four – is still worth living, and still full of moments that matter.

    Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New virtual indoor cycling studio opens at Ferry Leisure Centre

    Source: City of Oxford

    Tuesday, 20 May 2025

    Ferry Leisure Centre has completed a series of exciting upgrades, including the opening of a dedicated indoor cycling studio and the refurbishment of two squash courts.

    The new studio, which was previously a squash court, will feature a range of classes, both instructor led and virtual, catering for cyclists of all abilities. Indoor cycling sessions have been a feature of the Ferry’s group exercise programme for a number of years, but with this new, dedicated space, the team have been able to expand what they are able to offer customers and offer a broader range of classes.

    In addition to the new workout space, the centre’s remaining squash courts have had new lighting installed, floors sanded and the walls and lines repainted.

    Rob Jennings, Contract Manager for More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), which operates the facility in partnership with Serco Leisure, said:

    “We’re proud to continue investing in our facilities and adapting to the changing needs of our community. The new virtual indoor cycling studio offers a modern, dynamic way for people to stay active. Having a studio dedicated to this popular form of indoor workout has given us the opportunity to lay on extra classes to meet customer demand.

    “The new studio is part of a broader programme of investment into the centre, which includes the refurbishment of two squash courts as well as improvements to our café facilities.

    “So, whether you want to book an indoor cycling class in our new studio, give squash a try, or just pop in for a cup of coffee, we’d love to see you at Ferry!”

    Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford and Small Business Champion, said:

    “We’re committed to ensuring Oxford residents have access to high-quality, modern leisure facilities that support active and healthy lifestyles. These latest improvements at Ferry Leisure Centre – especially the addition of a state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio – reflect that commitment in action. It’s great to see investment responding directly to the needs of local people, and we look forward to seeing the community enjoy everything the upgraded centre has to offer.”

    The newly renovated courts and cycling studio are now open to the public. To book a court or virtual indoor cycling class, visit the website: https://www.oxfordcityleisure.com/ferry-leisure-centre/

    MLCT in partnership with Serco Leisure operates five leisure centres across Oxford on behalf of Oxford City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Building a faster, more effective clinical trials system

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Building a faster, more effective clinical trials system

    By MHRA Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon

    As I celebrate my first International Clinical Trials Day at the MHRA, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible work underway here to make it faster and easier to run clinical trials in the UK – for the benefit of patients, the NHS, and the wider research community.

    Clinical trials don’t just help us determine whether a medicine is safe and effective, they lead to better care outcomes for participants overall – something I have witnessed in my own family first hand. They also bring with them significant investment in the economy.

    The UK is already a research powerhouse driven by innovation. Last year, we assessed over 5000 trial applications. And, in our first ever analysis of the UK clinical trials landscape with the University of Liverpool, we found that one in eight UK trials were testing treatments in humans for the first time.

    But we want to go further in cementing the UK as one of the best places in the world to conduct trials, for both patients and researchers.

    Last month, we began implementing the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulation in over two decades. These reforms will address the research sector’s need for a more efficient, streamlined and adaptable regulatory framework for clinical trials. And, of course, they will help get cutting-edge new treatments to patients and the NHS as quickly as possible. 

    The changes, which come fully into force from April 2026, are part of a wider drive to support innovation and growth in the life sciences sector. And we’re already seeing the benefits. Following a period of backlog in processing clinical trial applications, the MHRA has been reviewing all applications within statutory timeframes since 2023.

    Our Combined Review service with the Health Research Authority – bringing together ethics and regulatory assessments – now delivers clinical trials decisions in an average of 40 days. That’s 20 days faster than the 60-day timeframe, helping research get underway more quickly.

    We’ve also seen some exciting developments in the use of Artificial Intelligence, which could sped up vital parts of our clinical trial application review from 3 hours to just 35 seconds.  The time this saves allows our clinical trials team to support new initiatives, such as life sciences innovation and upstream advice.  
    Of course, it’s not just about getting trials set up quickly. It’s important that trials in the UK are innovative and inclusive too.

    To support this, we’ve recently launched a pilot Inclusion and Diversity Plan with the Health Research Authority (HRA). Shaped by input from over 300 researchers, it offers practical guidance to help sponsors design more representative studies, so that we can be sure that trials represent the populations they are designed to treat.

    Just today, we’ve launched a consultation on new guidance for using real-world data in trials, specifically through external control arms. This type of anonymised data, collected during routine care, can help address some of the challenges faced in rare disease or cancer research – where large, randomised studies aren’t always possible

    The next year will be an exciting one for UK trials. As the Government pushes forward its Life Sciences vision and 10 Year Health Plan, our reforms could not come at a more important time.
    To all the patients, researchers and healthcare professionals involved in clinical research – thank you. Your contributions continue to shape the future of medicine. At the MHRA, we remain committed to supporting this progress through a regulatory system that is timely, proportionate, and focused on delivering public benefit.

    Clinical trials will always be essential to advancing care. Our role is to make sure they are safe, trusted, and fit for the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first digital test for assessing reading skills in adults is available on RuStore

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Language and Brain Center HSE University has developed the first standardized tool for assessing Russian-language reading skills in adults, the LexiMeter-V test. It is now available in digital format on the RuStore platform. This application allows for quick and effective diagnosis of reading disorders, including dyslexia, in people aged 18 and over.

    Reading skills are essential for a fulfilling social and professional life. For millions of adults who struggle with reading, the lack of timely diagnosis can mean inaccessibility to quality education, career opportunities, and social support. However, until now, there has been no reliable tool for Russian adults to objectively, in compliance with a standardized procedure, measure their reading skills and compare the results with normative data. Digital test “LexiMeter-V” fills this gap by offering professionals and researchers an effective way to assess reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension.

    “The development of LexiMeter-V was a logical continuation of our work on creating linguistically sound tests for diagnosing speech and reading disorders in children. Adults with reading difficulties need their own age-appropriate tools,” says one of the test’s developers, research fellow at the HSE Language and Brain Center Svetlana Dorofeeva.

    The test has two parallel versions. One of them can be used for primary diagnostics, and the second one — for assessing the dynamics or checking the effectiveness of the correctional impact. The versions are balanced by a number of psycholinguistic parameters: the length of words in syllables and letters, the frequency of words, the complexity of syntactic structures. Each text is accompanied by a block of questions on reading comprehension. After reading and marking errors, the application automatically calculates the reading parameters and additionally provides information on which syntactic structures caused the greatest difficulties. This level of detail is especially important for planning correctional work.

    The application is aimed at specialists: speech therapists, neuropsychologists, neurologists working in clinics, educational and scientific institutions, as well as on-site. It includes age standards for different groups of users from 18 to 60 years old, which ensures high diagnostic accuracy. The application replaces paper protocols, manual error counting and voice recorders. All stages of the test – from text demonstration to error analysis – take place in a digital interface. The results, including audio recordings and markup results, are downloaded in a convenient format, which significantly simplifies observations and preparation of conclusions.

    The tool will enable informed decisions to be made that can serve as a basis for choosing a further path for correcting reading disorders or supporting adults with dyslexia. For example, a confirmed diagnosis of dyslexia can be taken into account by universities in the future when determining a special assessment system for students with such difficulties.

    The developers emphasize that the test will be useful not only in the clinical but also in the scientific environment. The application accumulates an array of audio data and reading indicators, which makes it a convenient tool for research in the field of cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and neuropsychology.

    “Our goal is to make reading diagnostics accessible and modern. LexiMeter-V is not just a test, but a working tool that saves time, gives accurate results and opens up new opportunities to help people with dyslexia,” comments Olga Dragoy, Director of the HSE Language and Brain Center.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Engines, Generators and Transformers: Electrical Engineering Companies in the Capital Increase Production

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The production of electrical products is growing steadily in the capital. Companies create high-quality and competitive products that are used in industry, transport, energy, everyday life and other areas. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “In accordance with Sergei Sobyanin’s instructions, the city is creating favorable conditions for sustainable growth of the industrial production index in various industries. Thus, in January-March 2025, the volume of electrical equipment production increased by 39.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Companies achieved such high indicators, among other things, thanks to the complex of measures to support industry in the capital,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    In addition, the capital’s manufacturers increased the production of electric motors, generators, transformers and switchgear by 49.8 percent, and sets of electrical switching equipment by 44.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

    “Today, the capital’s electrical engineering industry is represented by more than 130 enterprises. The companies produce high-tech products that successfully replace foreign analogues and are in demand in all regions of Russia. At the same time, the demand for them is growing steadily. According to the results of three months of 2025, the volume of shipments amounted to more than three billion rubles,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy

    Anatoly Garbuzov.

    For example, the capital’s manufacturer of air ducts, shaped products, silencers and ventilation system parts continues to expand its product range. Thus, the company presented an innovative stamped rectangular bend made of galvanized steel, designed for ventilation systems of various purposes. Based on the results of the first three months of this year, the company increased the volume of production by 10 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This indicates an increase in demand and the successful implementation of the product range expansion strategy.

    26 industrial facilities will appear in the capital thanks to the city programProduction of cable and wire products is growing in the capital

    Another Moscow manufacturer of equipment for power distribution and automation systems produced more than three thousand automation cabinets and low-voltage distribution complete devices in January-March of this year. This indicates high production dynamics and demand for high-tech products. According to the company’s CEO Valery Pritulin, during the first three months of the year, the company shipped equipment worth more than 958 million rubles. The company is expanding its range and increasing production volumes to meet the needs of the energy sector in a timely manner.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154044073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA and the State of Arkansas Are Adding More Sites to Assist Survivors

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    Residents of those counties can receive help applying for federal assistance starting Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21 at these new Survivor Assistance Locations:

    GREENE COUNTYGreene County Courthouse – Meeting space by Room 108320 W. Court StreetParagould, AR 72450
    Hours: Tuesday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    HOT SPRING COUNTYLono-Rolla Community Center 11702 AR-222Leola, AR 72084

    Hours: Wednesday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    JACKSON COUNTYASU-Newport Center for Fine Arts
    7648 Victory Boulevard Newport, AR 72112
    Hours: Wednesday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    STONE COUNTYFifty-Six Municipal Building5431 Mitchell Road Fifty-Six, AR 72533
    Hours: Wednesday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    FEMA staff are currently available through Friday, May 23 at the following locations:
    INDEPENDENCE COUNTYCushman Volunteer Fire Department50 Park StreetCushman, AR 72526
    Hours: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    IZARD COUNTYOzarka College – John Miller Auditorium218 College DriveMelbourne, AR 72556
    Hours: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    RANDOLPH COUNTYBlack River Technical CollegeAcademic Complex Building, Room AC 1001410 Highway 304 EastPocahontas, AR 72455
    Hours: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Additionally, FEMA staff will continue to be available through Saturday, May 24 at:
    SHARP COUNTYCity Hall – Cave CityConference Room201 S. Main StreetCave City, AR 72521*Entrance and parking at back of building
    Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages. 
    If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.
    For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4865. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4541–4542: Boxwork Structure, or Just “Box-Like” Structure?

    Source: NASA

    Written by Ashley Stroupe, Mission Operations Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Earth planning date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    Today we came into another strange and interesting workspace (see image above) that is as exciting as the one we had on Monday. This is our first arrival at a potential boxwork structure — a series of web-like, resistant ridges visible in orbital images that we have been looking forward to visiting since we first saw them. Today’s observations will be the first step to figure out if these ridges (at least the one in front of us) is part of a boxwork structure. Unfortunately, we can’t quite reach their targets safely today because one of the rover’s front wheels is perched on a small pebble and might slip off if we move the arm. Instead, we will take a lot of remote sensing observations and reposition the rover slightly so that we can try again on Friday. 
    But before repositioning, Curiosity will start off by taking a huge Mastcam mosaic of all terrain around the rover to help us document how it is changing along our path and with elevation. Mastcam then will look at “Temblor Range,” which is a nearby low and resistant ridge that also has some rover tracks from where we previously crossed it. Mastcam is also imaging a trough that is similar to the other troughs we have been seeing locally and that have multiple possible origins. Then, Mastcam will image the AEGIS target from the prior plan. ChemCam is taking a LIBS observation of “Glendale Peak,” a rugged top portion of the ridge defining the potential boxwork structure, which is to the right of the workspace, and an RMI mosaic of Texoli butte. Mastcam follows up the ChemCam observation of Glendale Peak by imaging it. 
    In parallel with all the imaging is our monthly test and maintenance of our backup pump for the Heat Rejection System (the HRS) The HRS is a fluid loop that distributes the heat from the rover’s power source to help keep all the subsystems within reasonable temperatures. We need to periodically make sure it stays in good working order just in case our primary pump has issues. 
    After all the imaging, the rover will bump 30 centimeters backwards (about 12 inches)  to come down off the pebble and put the interesting science targets in the arm workspace. This should leave us in a position where it is safe to unstow the arm and put instruments down on the surface.
    On the second, untargeted sol of the plan, we have some additional atmospheric science including a large dust-devil survey, as well as a Navcam suprahorizon movie and a Mastcam solar tau to measure the dust in the atmosphere. We finish up with another autonomous targeting of ChemCam with AEGIS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: YBUOJ CEO Berton Hosea Discusses Strategic Blueprint to Drive Global Digital Asset Market Development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, Berton Hosea, founder and CEO of YBUOJ, unveiled the globalization strategy of the company, emphasizing that “technology innovation and ecosystem collaboration will serve as the dual core drivers to build critical infrastructure for the digital economy era.”

    According to information provided by YBUOJ, its globalization strategy not only involves expanding business operations in North America, Europe, and Asia but also focuses on building an integrated, cross-border, dynamic, and compliant operational model through collaboration with financial regulatory agencies worldwide.

    Berton Hosea, a seasoned leader with a profound industry background, brings over 25 years of experience in managing high-tech enterprises. In complex market environments, he has driven sustained corporate growth with exceptional strategic vision and execution capabilities. With extensive expertise in international market expansion, product innovation, and corporate strategic planning, Hosea has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in navigating global competition.

    Hosea highlighted that YBUOJ has established a compliance engine capable of adapting to multi-national regulations, integrating AI to predict future regulatory trends and proactively mitigate potential risks. As part of its global expansion strategy, YBUOJ also prioritizes optimizing user experience. The platform currently supports multi-language interfaces and dynamically identifies user time zones and language preferences to deliver personalized interface customization and market-specific content.

    Throughout the interview, Hosea repeatedly emphasized the concept of “long-termism”. He stated, “YBUOJ is not a short-term player in the fast-paced crypto bull market. We are building a sustainable, secure, intelligent, compliant, and globally applicable core trading architecture.”

    Looking ahead, YBUOJ is accelerating its deep strategic expansion in the global digital finance sector. The platform ambitions extend beyond merely constructing a trading system; it aims to comprehensively advance four key engines—technology-driven innovation, compliance collaboration, ecosystem co-construction, and environmentally sustainable development. By doing so, YBUOJ seeks to redefine the operational logic and value framework of the global crypto market, propelling the entire industry into a new stage of development.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b519ceeb-d576-4d54-8395-9799e2a0b03e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: YBUOJ Launches Dynamic Cross-Border Compliance Engine to Ensure Comprehensive Transaction Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, YBUOJ Exchange officially announced the full launch of its independently developed dynamic cross-border compliance engine system. This system can automatically adjust the platform compliance parameters based on real-time changes in laws and regulations where users are located, ensuring that all trading operations are conducted within the permissible regulatory framework.

    CEO Berton Hosea stated at the launch, “This is not just a technical release but a strategic deployment in deep response to global cryptocurrency industry regulatory trends.”

    In the current environment where regulations are increasingly stringent, traditional methods relying on legal advisors and manual reviews are insufficient to support fast and complex cross-border trading activities. The YBUOJ concept of “compliance automation” clearly offers a more pragmatic and sustainable path for the entire industry.

    The system launch also signals next steps of YBUOJ in global expansion. The platform plans to establish compliance operation centers in South America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia to further localize platform services and implement a strategy of “operating while adapting” through communication mechanisms with local regulatory bodies.

    Berton Hosea added, “As the global digital asset market matures, the clarity of regulatory frameworks will become a core standard for platforms to win user trust. The dynamic compliance engine of YBUOJ is our long-term commitment to the safety and legal rights of user assets.”

    The launch of the dynamic compliance system is not only a reflection of technological innovation but also a release of values: “to make regulation the foundation for driving innovation, rather than a barrier to development.”

    Since its inception, YBUOJ has adhered to a “technology-driven + compliance-first” approach. Its microservice architecture, AI-driven data engine, full-chain encryption transmission, and distributed clearing system collectively build a robust platform capable of responding to rapidly changing market environments.

    In an increasingly institutionalized market nowadays, those who can first build compliance barriers will have the opportunity to occupy the absolute high ground in the next round of industry reshuffling. YBUOJ, with its dynamic cross-border compliance engine, is leading the way in this regulatory upgrade.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7243359-e51a-499f-ae0f-dad81a4dfb0d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Health chief ‘conductor of an orchestra who’s never played an instrument’

    ANALYSIS: By Ian Powell

    In February 2025, Dr Diana Sarfati resigned, not unexpectedly, as Director-General of Health after only two years into her five-year term.

    As a medical specialist, and in her role as developing the successful cancer control agency, she had extensive experience in New Zealand’s health system.

    However, she did not conform to the privately expressed view of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: That the problem with the health system is that it is led by health.

    Responsibility for the appointment of public service chief executives rests with the Public Service Commissioner.

    In carrying out this function, Brian Roche had two choices for the process of selecting Sarfati’s replacement — run a contestable hiring process (the usual method) or appoint someone without this process.

    With the required approval of Attorney-General Judith Collins and Health Minister Simeon Brown, Roche opted for the exception rather than the rule.

    This suggests a degree of pre-determination to appoint someone without the “hindrance” of health system experience, consistent with Luxon’s view.

    An appointment from outside health
     Consequently, on April 1, Audrey Sonerson was appointed the new Director-General of Health for a five-year term.

    She had been the Ministry of Transport chief executive (including when Brown was transport minister). She also had senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the Police and Treasury.

    Though she had been part of the Treasury’s health team and has a master’s in health economics, her only health system experience was in the brief hiatus between Sarfati’s resignation when acting director-general and becoming the confirmed replacement.

    ‘For a minister with no experience of the complexity of health care delivery to choose a director-general who herself has no health experience is extremely concerning.’

    — Dr David Galler, former intensive care specialist

    This is unprecedented for the director-general position. Sonerson is the 18th person to hold this position. The first 10 had been medical doctors. In 1992, the first non-doctor holder was appointed (a Canadian with some health management experience).

    The subsequent six appointees all had extensive health system experience. Three were medical doctors (two in population health), two had been district health board chief executives, and one had been the director-general in Scotland and a medical geographer.

    Dr David Galler is well-placed to comment on the significance of this extraordinary change of direction. He is a retired intensive care specialist and former President of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.

    He held the unique position of principal medical adviser to the health minister, the ‘eyes and ears’ of the health system for three health ministers in the mid to late 2000s. He also worked closely with two director-generals.

    Drawing on this experience, Galler observes that: “Director-generals of health must be respected, influential, knowledgeable, connected and trusted, to ensure that good policy goes into practice and good practice informs policy . . .  For a minister with no experience of the complexity of health care delivery to choose a director-general who herself has no health experience is extremely concerning.”

    Breadth of the health system
     As the director-general heads up the Health Ministry, she is responsible for being the “steward” of our health system. In this context she is the lead adviser to the government on health. In the context of seeking to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders, the organisation Sonerson now leads is responsible for:

    • the stewardship and leadership of the health system; and
    • advising her minister and government on health and disability matters.

    These responsibilities have to be considered in the context of how extensive the health system is beginning with its complexity, highly specialised range of health professional occupational groups, and its breadth.

    This breadth ranges from community healthcare (predominantly general practices), local 24/7 acute hospitals, tertiary hospitals (lower volume, high complexity) and quaternary care services (national services for very uncommon or highly complex even lower volume procedures and treatments, including experimental medicine, uncommon surgical procedures, and advanced trauma care).

    Another way of looking at this breadth is that it ranges in treatment from medical to surgical to mental health to diagnostic. And then there is population health such as epidemiology.

    Population health and the Health Act
     However, responsibility extends further to specific obligations under the Health Act 1956, many of which are operational. Although it is nearly 60 years old, this act has been updated by legislative amendments many times and as recently as 2022 with the passing of the Pae Ora Act that disestablished district health boards and established Health New Zealand.

    The Health Act gives Sonerson’s health ministry the function of improving, promoting and protecting public health (as distinct from personal diagnostic and treatment health). Public health is legislatively defined as meaning either the health of all New Zealanders or a population group, community, or section of people within New Zealand.

    A critical part of this role is the responsibility for ensuring that local government authorities improve, promote, and protect public health within their districts in appointing key positions (such as medical officers of health, environmental health officers and health protection officers); food and water safety; regular inspections for any nuisances, or any conditions likely to be injurious to health or offensive and, where necessary, secure their abatement or removal; make bylaws for the protection of public health; and provide reports on diseases and sanitary conditions within each district.

    The population function under the Health Act of improving, promoting, and protecting public health means that how well the health ministry under Sonerson’s leadership performs directly affects the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

    This is an immense responsibility that cannot be minimised.

    Understanding universal health systems
     Universal health systems such as ours are characterised by being highly complex, adaptive and labour intensive and innovative (innovation primarily comes from its workforce). They provide a public good (rather than commodities) and their breadth is considerable.

    But, despite appearances to the contrary, the different parts of this breadth don’t function separately from each other. They are not just interconnected; they are interdependent.

    As a result, each part makes up a highly integrated system. Consequently, relationships are critical. The more relational the culture, the better the system will perform; the more contractual the culture, the poorer it will perform.

    Galler’s experience-based above-mentioned observation needs to be seen in the context of the challenging nature of universal health systems.

    In a wider discussion on health system leadership, Auckland surgeon Dr Erica Whineray Kelly got to the core of the issue very well: “You’d never have a conductor of an orchestra who’d never played an instrument.”

    Audrey Sonerson comes into the director-general position with a deficit. It will help her performance if she first recognises that there are many unknowns for her and then proceeds to listen to those within the system who possess the experience of knowing well these unknowns.

    It might go some way to alleviating the legitimate concerns of Galler and Whineray Kelly and many others.

    Ian Powell is a progressive health, labour market and political “no-frills” forensic commentator in New Zealand. A former senior doctors union leader for more than 30 years, he blogs at Second Opinion and Political Bytes. This article was first published by Newsroom and is republished with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: WTO Chairs Programme activities launched at Dominican Republic university

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO Chairs Programme activities launched at Dominican Republic university

    The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) aims to support and promote trade-related academic activities by universities and research institutions in developing and least-developed WTO member economies. Projects are funded for a period of four years and continue through support from their institutions, members, and other stakeholders that draw on them. The goal of the programme is to build capacity in international trade through research, curriculum development and outreach.
    WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang said the key activities of the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) for the current year will centre on trade and environment sustainability, and in particular finding solutions that reduce plastics pollution.
    “This focus is certainly timely and relevant, particularly for an island economy like the Dominican Republic, which must grapple with the effects of climate change,” DDG Zhang said. “As you continue to seek growth while facing the challenges confronting your island economy, the Chair at UNIBE will be a valuable resource in providing tailored research and constructive engagement on key trade issues.”
    The WCP is funded by France, Austria and the Republic of Korea. With the addition of this institution, the WCP network has expanded within the Central American region, which was previously under-represented.
    Ambassador Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand, Permanent Representative of France to the WTO, said: “Your work can help us to meet the challenges of our time, particularly in the field of sustainable development, and thereby make the system even more efficient. The courses you will be setting up on trade and environmental sustainability will undoubtedly contribute to our reflection.”
    Also present at the event was Ambassador José R. Sánchez-Fung, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the WTO, who recognized this as an important milestone. “The Dominican Republic welcomes the WCP Chair at UNIBE. The Programme will be instrumental in developing our country’s ability to participate in the global trading system and contribute productively to the rest of the WTO’s membership.”
    UNIBE is now part of a global network that facilitates cooperation between governments, universities and multilateral organizations. Vilma Arbaje, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade at the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, congratulated Odile Camilo, Rector of UNIBE: “The establishment of the WCP Chair at UNIBE consolidates this institution as a regional reference centre in training and research applied to trade and opens up new possibilities for integrating knowledge into the processes of designing and implementing more effective and sustainable public policies for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and MSMEs.
    “This collaboration represents a valuable opportunity to expand our institutional capacities, strengthen ties with the academic world and reinforce the country’s projection in spaces for global dialogue on trade,” she added.
    During the event, a panel comprising representatives of the government and the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic discussed the importance of the circular economy in the Dominican Republic, offering insights into its future direction. Changing regulations offer a chance for transformation and concrete opportunities for sustainable and competitive development, participants said.
    The industrial sector has already taken steps toward transforming production. Manuel Diaz Franjul, Director of Trade Negotiations for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “As we saw today, trade and the environment and associated policies are a key issue at the international level, and the best way to overcome any differences that arise is through direct engagement.”

    Share

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: NOIA Statement on Lifting of Empire Wind Stop Work Order

    Source: National Ocean Industries Association – NOIA

    Headline: NOIA Statement on Lifting of Empire Wind Stop Work Order

    For Immediate Release: Monday, May 19, 2025NOIA .org
    NOIA Statement on Lifting of Empire Wind Stop Work Order
    Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement following the decision to lift the stop work order for the Empire Wind project:
    “We appreciate the Trump administration’s swift review of the Empire Wind project and engagement with state and local governments and other stakeholders. Lifting the stop work order underscores the project’s critical role in safely advancing American energy, shipbuilding, workforce development, and economic growth.
    “The administration is clearing the way for major investments to move forward—activating American shipyards, creating high-quality jobs, and accelerating the buildout of infrastructure needed to deliver reliable, domestic energy to the East Coast. With power demand surging due to AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing, offshore wind is an important part of an all-of-the-above solution. Companies throughout the supply chain – from Louisiana to Texas to New York – will be able to see the return on their investments.”
    ##
    About NOIAThe National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Euro area monthly balance of payments: March 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    20 May 2025

    • Current account recorded €51 billion surplus in March 2025, up from €41 billion in previous month
    • Current account surplus amounted to €438 billion (2.9% of euro area GDP) in the 12 months to March 2025, up from €312 billion (2.1%) one year earlier
    • In financial account, euro area residents’ net acquisitions of non-euro area portfolio investment securities totalled €698 billion and non-residents’ net acquisitions of euro area portfolio investment securities totalled €782 billion in the 12 months to March 2025

    Chart 1

    Euro area current account balance

    (EUR billions unless otherwise indicated; working day and seasonally adjusted data)

    Source: ECB.

    The current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €51 billion in March 2025, an increase of €10 billion from the previous month (Chart 1 and Table 1). Surpluses were recorded for goods (€44 billion), services (€13 billion) and primary income (€7 billion). These were partly offset by a deficit for secondary income (€13 billion).

    Table 1

    Current account of the euro area

    Source: ECB.

    Note: Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the current account of the euro area

    In the 12 months to March 2025, the current account surplus widened to €438 billion (2.9% of euro area GDP), up from a surplus of €312 billion (2.1% of euro area GDP) one year earlier. This increase was driven by larger surpluses for goods (up from €324 billion to €386 billion), services (up from €133 billion to €173 billion) and primary income (up from €22 billion to €54 billion). The deficit for secondary income increased from €168 billion to €174 billion.

    Chart 2

    Selected items of the euro area financial account

    (EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)

    Source: ECB.

    Notes: For assets, a positive (negative) number indicates net purchases (sales) of non-euro area instruments by euro area investors. For liabilities, a positive (negative) number indicates net sales (purchases) of euro area instruments by non-euro area investors.

    In direct investment, euro area residents made net investments of €110 billion in non-euro area assets in the 12 months to March 2025, following net disinvestments of €252 billion one year earlier (Chart 2 and Table 2). Non-residents disinvested €101 billion in net terms from euro area assets in the 12 months to March 2025, following net disinvestments of €321 billion one year earlier.

    In portfolio investment, euro area residents’ net purchases of non-euro area equity increased to €150 billion in the 12 months to March 2025, up from €91 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, net purchases of non-euro area debt securities by euro-area residents increased to €548 billion, up from €490 billion one year earlier. Non-residents’ net purchases of euro area equity increased to €408 billion in the 12 months to March 2025, up from €170 billion one year earlier. Over the same period, non-residents made net purchases of euro area debt securities amounting to €374 billion, declining from net purchases of €404 billion one year earlier.

    Table 2

    Financial account of the euro area

    (EUR billions unless otherwise indicated; transactions; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted data)

    Source: ECB.

    Notes: Decreases in assets and liabilities are shown with a minus sign. Net financial derivatives are reported under assets. “MFIs” stands for monetary financial institutions. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the financial account of the euro area

    In other investment, euro area residents recorded net acquisitions of non-euro area assets amounting to €365 billion in the 12 months to March 2025 (up from €128 billion one year earlier), while they recorded net incurrences of liabilities of €77 billion (following net disposals of €144 billion one year earlier).

    Chart 3

    Monetary presentation of the balance of payments

    (EUR billions; 12-month cumulated data)

    Source: ECB.

    Notes: “MFI net external assets (enhanced)” incorporates an adjustment to the MFI net external assets (as reported in the consolidated MFI balance sheet items statistics) based on information on MFI long-term liabilities held by non-residents, available in b.o.p. statistics. B.o.p. transactions refer only to transactions of non-MFI residents of the euro area. Financial transactions are shown as liabilities net of assets. “Other” includes financial derivatives and statistical discrepancies.

    The monetary presentation of the balance of payments (Chart 3) shows that the net external assets (enhanced) of euro area MFIs increased by €405 billion in the 12 months to March 2025. This increase was driven by the current and capital accounts surplus and, to a lesser extent, by euro area non-MFIs’ net inflows in portfolio investment equity and debt. These developments were partly offset by euro area non-MFIs’ net outflows in direct investment and other flows.

    In March 2025 the Eurosystem’s stock of reserve assets increased to €1,511.0 billion up from €1,478.6 billion in the previous month (Table 3). This increase was mainly driven by positive price changes (€48.0 billion), due to an increase in the price of gold, and partly offset by negative exchange rate changes (€14.7 billion) and net sales of assets (€0.8 billion).

    Table 3

    Reserve assets of the euro area

    (EUR billions; amounts outstanding at the end of the period, flows during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted data)

    Source: ECB.

    Notes: “Other reserve assets” comprises currency and deposits, securities, financial derivatives (net) and other claims. Discrepancies between totals and their components may be due to rounding.

    Data for the reserve assets of the euro area

    Data revisions

    This press release incorporates revisions to the data for January 2025 and February 2025. These revisions did not significantly alter the figures previously published.

    Next releases:

    • Monthly balance of payments: 18 June 2025 (reference data up to April 2025)
    • Quarterly balance of payments: 03 July 2025 (reference data up to the first quarter of 2025)

    For media queries, please contact Benoît Deeg, tel.: +49 172 1683704.

    Notes

    • Current account data are always seasonally and working day-adjusted, unless otherwise indicated, whereas capital and financial account data are neither seasonally nor working day-adjusted.
    • Hyperlinks in this press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 2025 Thales Data Threat Report Reveals Nearly 70% of Organizations Identify AI’s Fast-Moving Ecosystem as Top GenAI-Related Security Risk

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: 2025 Thales Data Threat Report Reveals Nearly 70% of Organizations Identify AI’s Fast-Moving Ecosystem as Top GenAI-Related Security Risk

    • 73% are investing in AI-specific security tools with either new or existing budgets. 
    • Malware remains top attack type since 2021; phishing rises to second, ransomware drops to third.
    • 60% identified future decryption of today’s data and future encryption compromise as major concerns among quantum computing security threats.
    @Thales

    Thales today announced the release of the 2025 Thales Data Threat Report, its annual report on the latest data security threats, trends, and emerging topics based on a survey conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research of more than 3,100 IT and security professionals in 20 countries across 15 industries. This year’s report found that nearly 70% of organizations view the rapid pace of AI development1—particularly in generative AI—as the leading security concern related to its adoption, followed by lack of integrity (64%) and trustworthiness (57%). ​

    The 2025 Thales Data Threat Report results reveal a major focus on the transformative impact of AI, especially GenAI, which relies heavily on high-quality, sensitive data for functions like training, inference, and content generation. As agentic AI emerges, ensuring data quality becomes even more critical for enabling sound decision-making and actions by AI systems. Many organizations are already adopting GenAI, with a third of respondents indicating it is either being integrated or is actively transforming their operations.

    Organizations Embrace GenAI, Taking on Greater Security Risks Amid Rapid Adoption

    As GenAI introduces complex data security challenges and offers strategic opportunities to strengthen defenses, its growing integration marks a shift among organizations from experimentation to more mature, operational deployment. While most respondents said rapid adoption of GenAI is their top security concern, respondents in the more advanced stages of AI adoption aren’t waiting to fully secure their systems or optimize their tech stacks before forging ahead. Because the drive to achieve rapid transformation often outweighs efforts to strengthen organizational readiness, these organizations may be inadvertently creating their own biggest security vulnerabilities.

    “The fast-evolving GenAI landscape is pressuring enterprises to move quickly, sometimes at the cost of caution, as they race to stay ahead of the adoption curve,” Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, said. “Many enterprises are deploying GenAI faster than they can fully understand their application architectures, compounded by the rapid spread of SaaS tools embedding GenAI capabilities, adding layers of complexity and risk.”

    Seventy-three percent of respondents report investing in AI-specific security tools, either through new budgets or by reallocating existing resources. Those prioritizing AI security are diversifying their approaches: over two-thirds have acquired tools from their cloud providers, three in five are leveraging established security vendors, and nearly half are turning to new or emerging startups. Notably, security for generative AI has quickly risen as a top spending priority, securing the second spot in ranked-choice voting, just behind cloud security. This shift underscores the growing recognition of AI-driven risks and the need for specialized defenses to mitigate them.

    Data Breaches Show Modest Decline, Though Threats Remain Elevated

    While data breaches remain a significant concern, their frequency has slightly decreased over the past few years. In 2021, 56% of surveyed enterprises reported experiencing a breach, but that figure has dropped to 45% in 2025. Additionally, the percentage of respondents reporting a breach within the last 12 months has fallen from 23% in 2021 to just 14% in 2025.

    Malware continues to lead as the most prevalent threat, maintaining its top position since 2021. Phishing climbed to second place, overtaking ransomware, which now ranks third. When it comes to the most concerning threat actors, external sources dominate—hacktivists hold the top spot, followed by nation-state actors. Human error, while still significant, has dropped to third, down one position from the previous year.

    Vendors Pressed on Post-Quantum Readiness as Encryption Strategies Are Reassessed

    The 2025 Thales Data Threat Report reveals that most organizations are increasingly concerned about quantum-related security risks. The top threat, cited by 63% of respondents, is future encryption compromise—the risk that quantum computers could eventually break current or future encryption algorithms, exposing data once considered secure. Close behind, 61% identified key distribution vulnerabilities, where quantum advancements could undermine the secure exchange of encryption keys. Additionally, 58% highlighted the “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) threat, where encrypted data intercepted today could be decrypted in the future. In response, half of organizations are assessing their encryption strategies, and 60% are actively prototyping or evaluating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. Only one-third, however, are placing their trust in telecom or cloud providers to manage the transition.

    “The clock is ticking on post-quantum readiness. It’s encouraging that three out of five organizations are already prototyping new ciphers, but deployment timelines are tight and falling behind could leave critical data exposed,” Todd Moore, Global Vice President, Data Security Products at Thales, said. “Even with clear timelines for transitioning to PQC algorithms, the pace of encryption change has been slower than expected due to a mix of legacy systems, complexity, and the challenge of balancing innovation with security.”

    While this year’s survey results indicate improvements in security posture, much more is needed to elevate operational data security to fully support the capabilities of emerging technologies such as GenAI and to pave the way for future innovations.

    For more information please join our webinar hosted by Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global 451 Research. 

    1 This finding relates to the fast changes in the GenAI ecosystem which encompasses the full set of vendors and technologies in GenAI.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

    Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Godiva Festival re-launches competition for local aspiring photographers after huge 2024 success

    Source: City of Coventry

    Godiva Festival, one of the UK’s most anticipated music festivals held annually in Coventry, is bringing back the competition to join the festival’s official photographer at the event for 2025.

    This year, three lucky amateur photographers will get the opportunity to join the festival’s official photographer, Dave Archer, on Saturday 5 July 2025 for an unforgettable day of capturing vibrant performances at this year’s event.    

    Out of the three winners, the official photographer will select one overall winner.  

    The winners will gain invaluable experience working alongside an industry professional who has captured high-profile events from Glastonbury Festival to Formula 1.  

    The winners will be mentored in slots throughout the day and be taught how to take live event images to the next level.    

    This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity also includes two weekend tickets for each winner to enjoy the rest of the festival.  

    Participants must be from Coventry or Warwickshire, over the age of 18, have access to a professional camera and have their own means of transport to travel to and from the event.     

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “I’m delighted that this competition is returning and giving budding photographers the chance to work with one of our professionals.     

    “Last year was so successful that we are opening the competition up to three winners this year. They will each get to work with us on the Saturday and see the behind-the-scenes life and what it takes to get the shots that we go on to use when showcasing our festival.     

    “We love giving back to the city of Coventry and this is just one of many ways in which we’re doing this. I really look forward to seeing the entry photographs and saying hello to our winner at the event. I’d like to wish all those who enter, good luck.”   

    Professional photographer, Dave Archer, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your real-life skills of creating images in the moment, in camera to a brief, coupled with great access.   

    “It’s really important as photographers to make the most of opportunities and time to get the best images.”  

    To enter the competition, aspiring photographers must complete the entry form and are asked to submit their best image from a choice of three categories; portraits, action and music. 

    The competition closes at 10am on Friday 13 June 2025. 

    For more information, and to read the terms and conditions, head to the competition webpage.   

    Tuesday, 20th May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 Export Credit Agency Leaders Meet in London for Two-Day Summit

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    G7 Export Credit Agency Leaders Meet in London for Two-Day Summit

    UK Export Finance is hosting the annual meeting of leaders of export credit agencies from G7 countries.

    Leaders of G7 export credit agencies (from left to right): Paola Valerio (SACE, Italy), Atsuo Kuroda (NEXI, Japan), Bastian Kern (Export Credit Guarantees Germany), Tim Reid (UK Export Finance), James C. Cruse (US EXIM), Alison Nankivell (EDC, Canada), Armel Castets (Export Finance and Trade Promotion Division, France)

    Leaders of export credit agencies (ECAs) from the G7 nations are gathering in London today (19 May) for a two-day summit focused on “Global Challenges, Shared Solutions”. 

    The Chiefs and senior representatives from the ECAs of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States will be hosted by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, to address critical issues in international trade finance as part of their annual meeting. 

    The summit will tackle key topics including strengthening supply chain resilience, securing access to critical minerals, and navigating the evolving landscape of export finance amid the growth of domestic industrial programmes and the advancement of artificial intelligence. 

    Tim Reid, Chief Executive of UK Export Finance, said:

    “In today’s world, collaboration between export credit agencies is more vital than ever to unlock critical financing for the largest and most pioneering opportunities aligned to our shared social and economic targets.

    “This annual summit, hosted this year by UKEF, offers a unique opportunity for our G7 ECAs to share insights, align strategies and develop joint approaches to deliver impact for our domestic exporters and in countries around the world. By working together, we can better support businesses navigating international trade challenges while driving sustainable economic growth across our nations.”

    Contact

    Media enquiries:

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on a farm in Essex

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on a farm in Essex

    A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed today (Tuesday 20 May).

    The animal showed some clinical signs of BSE and was humanely culled on farm and tested as part of Defra’s routine surveillance programme. There is no risk to public health or food safety from this case and the animal, as fallen stock, was not destined to enter the food chain. 

    Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle which occurs spontaneously. It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated feed. 

    Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:   

    “A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime.  

    “Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.”

    Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:    

    “There is no food safety risk. There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.  

    “Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.”  

    Great Britain’s overall risk status for BSE remains at ‘controlled’ and there is no risk to food safety or public health. 

    The World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the case. This does not affect the UK’s ability to export beef to other countries. 

    BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small holder animals as well as commercial cattle. 

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:   

    • Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is a chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. It is not contagious, so it does not spread from animal to animal or between holdings. 

    • Classical BSE was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in 1986. 

    • Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and occurs at a very low level in all cattle populations. It is reported occasionally in countries with active BSE surveillance programmes.  

    • The last case of atypical BSE in the UK was in December 2024 in Scotland. There has been a total of 4 cases since 2015 (including this latest case). 

    • [The case was identified as a result of strict control measures we have in place. It was not destined for the human food chain and the Food Standards Agency have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case.]

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Algernon Yau to visit Chongqing

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart tomorrow for Chongqing, where he will attend the 7th Western China International Fair for Investment & Trade and seek to strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade exchanges with the Mainland city.

    Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on May 23. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — Travel Release — Gov. Green to Travel To Washington D.C.

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 

    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

    GOVERNOR GREEN TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 19, 2025

    HONOLULU  ̶  Governor Josh Green, M.D., has been invited by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal to testify before the U.S. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations at a hearing on science and federal health agencies. Governor Green will travel to Washington D.C. on Monday, May 19.

    U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is the ranking member of the committee and extended the invitation, to discuss Governor Green’s experience as a physician and public official in addressing outbreaks of infectious diseases, including during the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is the chief investigative subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Governor Green will return to Hawai‘i on Friday, May 23, 2025.

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke will serve as acting Governor from the afternoon of May 19 until the afternoon of May 23.

     ###

    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Widespread support for Governor’s proposal to fast-track water infrastructure

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 19, 2025

    SACRAMENTO— Last week, the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA) Board of Directors joined the growing list of supporters from across California praising Governor Newsom’s legislative proposals to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Project, a critical water infrastructure and climate adaptation project.

    At a special meeting, the DCA Board voted unanimously to support the legislative effort and provide formal letters of support to Governor Newsom.

    Martin Milobar, President, Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority Board of Directors: “I want to thank Governor Newsom for his continued leadership in prioritizing California’s water future. We know better than anyone the importance of the Delta Conveyance Project – it’s a long-overdue investment in modernizing how we move and manage water in California and ensures our water agencies continue to serve communities with safe, affordable water. His proposal to streamline the regulatory framework to help advance the Delta Conveyance Project reflects the kind of solution-oriented approach we need to protect our state’s most critical infrastructure. As Board President, I support efforts to move this project forward and am proud to stand behind the direction outlined by the Governor. This is about protecting California’s water supply, now and into the future.”

    Graham Bradner, Executive Director, Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority: “We appreciate the Governor’s leadership in recognizing both the urgency of the Delta Conveyance Project and the opportunity to modernize how we move critical infrastructure forward in the face of climate change, seismic risk, and growing water demands. The Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority is ready to deliver. Our team is prepared to implement this project responsibly, transparently, and in close coordination with the Department of Water Resources, our public water agency partners, and stakeholders throughout the state. These proposed reforms are expected to save years of delay and potentially billions in costs by removing unnecessary hurdles and accelerating project delivery. We stand ready and offer our strong support to the Governor’s forward-thinking approach.”

    The project is receiving widespread support from leaders throughout the state. Here’s what they are saying:
     

    Water agencies and leaders

    Jennifer Pierre, General Manager, State Water Contractors: “Governor Newsom’s proposal marks a critical step in reducing barriers to innovation while creating efficiencies that will save time and billions of dollars as construction of the DCP moves forward.”

    Deven Upadhyay, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California General Manager: “The governor’s proposal will expedite planning of the Delta Conveyance Project by removing costly, time-consuming and unnecessary administrative hurdles and uncertainties that are preventing a final decision on the project. Metropolitan’s board committed to fund the final phase of DCP planning last December. Today’s proposal should allow our board to consider whether to make a long-term investment in the DCP without delay, alongside consideration of other strategies to ensure Southern California has reliable and affordable water amid a changing climate.”

    Darin Kasamoto, General Manager, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District: “Our region depends heavily on water supplies from the State Water Project to meet daily needs and support our economy, but that supply is only as dependable as the infrastructure that delivers it. By removing costly delays and speeding up permitting, this proposal ensures we can modernize our water delivery system before climate impacts outpace our ability to respond.”

    Valerie Pryor, Zone 7 Water Agency General Manager: “The State Water Project is vital to our community as it provides 70% of the water supply used to enhance the quality of life, economic vitality and environmental health to our region. We welcome this innovative approach to streamlining the approval process.”

    Adnan Anabtawi, General Manager, Mojave Water Agency (MWA): “This project supports the investments we have already made in imported water, making its delivery to our region more resilient.” 

    Tony Estremera, Valley Water Board Chair: “We appreciate Governor Newsom’s strong support of the Delta Conveyance Project and his efforts to move it forward. About 40% of Santa Clara County’s water comes through the Delta, and climate change is putting that supply at risk. The Delta Conveyance Project would help the State Water Project adapt to changing conditions, making this water supply more reliable for our community and all of California.”

    Palmdale Water District (PWD) General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux: “Palmdale relies on the State Water Project for over half of our annual water supply – a critical source that supplements our limited local groundwater and surface water. Without this water supply, we would be unable to meet the needs of our growing community, particularly during extended drought periods that strain our regional resources. Streamlining review and expediting the Delta Conveyance Project is a smart, forward-looking step to secure California’s water future.”

    Metropolitan Water District of Southern California General Manager Deven Upadhyay: “The governor’s proposal will expedite planning of the Delta Conveyance Project by removing costly, time-consuming and unnecessary administrative hurdles and uncertainties that are preventing a final decision on the project. Metropolitan’s board committed to fund the final phase of DCP planning last December. Today’s proposal should allow our board to consider whether to make a long-term investment in the DCP without delay, alongside consideration of other strategies to ensure Southern California has reliable and affordable water amid a changing climate.”

    Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Assistant General Manager Robert Cheng: “Actions by the Governor to reduce project delays and deliver the Delta Conveyance Project are timely and prudent. California’s primary water delivery system – the State Water Project – must be modernized to help secure California’s water future.” 

    Martin Milobar, Director for Kern County Water Agency and Chair for the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority: “The State Water Project is fundamental infrastructure for the economy of Kern County and the food supply for the nation. Implementing processes that reduce costs while moving the Delta Conveyance Project forward is critical to maintaining a thriving agricultural industry in California. We cannot afford any more costly and unnecessary delays.” 

    Maria Gutzeit, Board President, Santa Clarita Valley Water Board of Directors: “For decades, the Delta Conveyance Project has faced unnecessary red tape and lengthy, avoidable delays. The State Water Project provides critical water supplies to the Santa Clarita Valley, but it is clear that it must be modernized to ensure long-term reliability. We support Governor Newsom’s proposal to create efficiencies that will bring this important project closer to delivery and eliminate costly delays that are ultimately shouldered by ratepayers.”

    Judy C. Huang, Alameda County Water District Board President: “The Governor’s proposal to streamline the Delta Conveyance Project is significant to advancing the project’s path forward. The State Water Project is an important part of ACWD’s water delivery system, serving 348,000 customers in the Tri-Cities and vital to millions of Californians. ”

    Paul Ortega, Board President, Desert Water Agency: “The Delta Conveyance Project is key to securing a resilient, reliable water supply for California’s future. Ensuring the timely delivery of this important infrastructure will make our desert community and regions across the state more sustainable and protect our state’s primary water supply from the impacts of climate change and disruptions from earthquakes or levee failures.”

    Charley Wilson, Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition: “The science is clear: the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water is declining, while demand continues to rise. Southern California stands to lose up to 10% of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don’t act now. The Delta Conveyance Project is our best path to offsetting those losses.”

    Community leaders

    Jennifer Barrera, President & CEO, California Chamber of Commerce: “Modernizing California’s water supply is not only vital to our economy but also long overdue. We appreciate the Governor’s proposal to both remove barriers to innovation while protecting the environment and meeting both regulatory and operational requirements.”

    Jon Switalski, Executive Director of Rebuild SoCal Partnership: “This legislation is exactly the kind of forward-thinking leadership California needs to secure its water future. For too long, critical infrastructure projects like the Delta Conveyance Project have been stalled by red tape and frivolous delay tactics. This bill takes decisive, measured steps to modernize the water infrastructure millions of Californians rely on every day.”

    Rick Callender, President, California Hawaii State Conference NAACP: “As climate change casts a shadow of uncertainty, this question of affordability balanced with reliability looms squarely over the shoulders of disadvantaged communities who suffer a historic and disproportionate share of economic, health, and environmental burdens. By moving the Delta Conveyance Project forward, California is making a commitment to protecting the State Water Project and the communities that rely on this system for their water. We applaud the Governor for moving this project forward.”

    Joe Cruz, Executive Director of the California State Council of Laborers: “California has established itself as a worldwide leader due in large part to its investments in massive infrastructure projects. [This] announcement by Governor Newsom is a commitment to the working people of California – that we will make it easier to build projects that maintain California’s place as a global leader while also creating thousands of well-paying union jobs.”

    Jim Wunderman, President & CEO, Bay Area Council: “We won’t let California’s future be held hostage by delay and dysfunction. This legislation reflects our values and our urgency. We must act today to protect the water supply of tomorrow.”

    Jeffrey Ball, President & CEO of Orange County Business Council: “[This] announcement to help speed up the construction of the Delta Conveyance Project is a massive benefit to helping guarantee water security in our region.”

    Heather Dyer, CEO and General Manager of San Bernardino Valley: “We commend Governor Newsom for taking action today by supporting key water infrastructure that will increase water supply reliability. Plain and simple, we need the Delta Conveyance Project. We are benefitting from the visionary infrastructure investments of the past, and now is the time to take the next step forward. Failure is not an option.”

    Protecting California’s water supply 

    California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply due to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the water supply for millions of Californians — and the reliability of the State Water Project could be reduced as much as 23 percent.  Extreme weather whiplash will result in more intense swings between droughts and floods – California’s 60-year-old water infrastructure is not built for these climate impacts. 

    The Delta Conveyance Project will help offset and recover these future climate-driven water losses, and yet, it has been plagued by delays and red tape. 

    The Delta Conveyance Project would expand the state’s ability to improve water supply reliability, while also maintaining fishery and water quality protections. During atmospheric rivers last year, the Delta Conveyance Project could have captured enough water for 9.8 million people’s yearly usage.

    The Governor has advanced efforts to move the DCP forward, including certifying a final environmental impact report in December 2023 and securing financial support from water agencies throughout the state serving a majority of Californians. And while the project has received some necessary permits, its path forward is burdened by complicated regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic delays. The Governor is proposing to streamline and strengthen the project’s path forward, to protect the state’s water supply for future generations.

    The importance of protecting the reliability of the State Water Project is too great to allow the Delta Conveyance Project to be mired by unnecessary delays.  

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    May 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom joined Marcie Frost (CEO, CalPERS) and Cassandra Lichnock (CEO, CalSTRS) at the annual Catalyst event for a candid conversation on the role California’s public institutions can play in opening access to funding…

    May 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: California’s battery storage capacity now exceeds 15,700 megawatts, an unprecedented milestone that reflects the Newsom administration’s continued leadership in building the grid of the future. SACRAMENTO — California continues to rapidly…

    May 16, 2025

    News What you need to know: The state is investing almost $1.7 billion for improvements to California’s highway system, including $86.5 million for improvements to infrastructure damaged during the Los Angeles firestorms earlier this year. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two teenagers charged over kitten cruelty

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met officers investigating the death of two kittens in Ruislip have arrested and charged two teenagers.

    On Tuesday, 20 May, a 16-year-old girl was charged on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and for possession of a bladed article in a public place.

    A 17-year-old boy was also charged on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and for possession of a bladed article in a public place.

    They had both been arrested on Monday, 19 May. This relates to an incident on Saturday, 3 May where two kittens were found dead.

    They were both remanded into custody, and will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court at 14:00 on Tuesday, 20 May.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: “A devastating record”: New Greenpeace analysis reveals almost half a million blue sharks caught as bycatch in Central and Western Pacific in 2023

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    TASMAN SEA, Tuesday 20, May 2025 – A new analysis of latest fisheries data by Greenpeace Australia Pacific has revealed widespread devastation of near-threatened sharks in the Pacific Ocean by industrial longline fishers. The analysis estimates that almost half a million blue sharks were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023, the highest number in recorded history since 1991.

    Greenpeace Australia Pacific estimates around 438,500 near-threatened blue sharks, almost 50 million kilograms, were caught as bycatch in the region in 2023 from Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WFCPFC) data. The figure is double 2015 numbers.

    Georgia Whitaker, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 

    “The data is deeply disturbing – it’s a devastating record and a testament to the destructive nature of the industrial fishing industry. Sharks and other animals dying by the hundreds of thousands a year in this one patch of ocean, brutally killed by a legal and indiscriminate fishing practice like longlining. This is an appalling legacy our global leaders are leaving while the blue lungs of our planet are already facing chronic decline. Industrial fishing is sucking our ocean dry, fuelling the biodiveristy crisis, and pushing prehistoric animals like sharks to the brink of extinction. Healthy shark populations are central to a healthy ocean – this is a loss we can’t afford.”

    The blue shark is by far the most common bycatch in the region and the world, making up 80-90% of all shark catches across the WCPFC in the last nine years. Between Australia and New Zealand in the Tasman Sea region, blue sharks made up more than 90% of the shark bycatch from longline fishers.

    Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France in June, Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the Albanese government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty in the first 100 days in government and protect the region. Australia signed the treaty in 2023 but is yet to bring it into force.

    “There is no better time for Australia to be leaders in ocean protection on the world stage. Every day that passes without the treaty in force, animals are being pushed closer to the brink of extinction from industrial fisheries in the high seas. The Global Ocean Treaty was a historic win, but we can’t rest now – we need Australia to ratify the treaty and propose ocean sanctuaries in the high seas between Australia and New Zealand to give our oceans and marine life a chance to rest, recover and thrive,” Whitaker said.

    A recent report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) revealed one-third of sharks worldwide are endangered, and two-thirds of those endangered are at risk of extinction from overfishing. Blue Sharks are listed as Near Threatened and Largely Depleted by the IUCN. 

    The analysis also revealed the biologically significant area of the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea areas, between Australia and New Zealand, had some of the highest rates of birds as bycatch, with 13% of bycatch from longliners being seabirds like albatross. 

    —ENDS—

    For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kimberley Bernard on +61 407 581 404 or [email protected]

    Notes to Editor

    High res images and footage of Australia’s oceans can be found here and here

    Full analysis available at request

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Readout: Canada and Germany’s Housing Ministers meet in Ottawa to discuss common goals

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Honourable Sean Fraser and the Honorable Klara Geywitz met in Ottawa to discuss mutual priorities and opportunities for collaboration between Canada and Germany on the topics of housing and infrastructure. As members of the Group of Seven (G7), they also discussed the ongoing work around sustainable urban policies that help promote the growth of livable cities.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Education chief joins London forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin attended the Education World Forum 2025 in London on May 19 where she highlighted Hong Kong’s experience in achieving quality and equity in education.

     

    Under the five key themes this year, namely Stability, Equity, Quality, Innovation and Growth, Ms Choi shared Hong Kong’s practical experience with education ministers and senior officials from various countries and regions.

     

    This year, the forum focused on the development of inclusive education systems that drive equitable and sustainable socio-economic growth. In her keynote speech titled “How & why should education systems improve equity & increase quality?”, Ms Choi introduced Hong Kong’s policy measures and achievements in providing quality and equitable education.

     

    She said that, in achieving quality education, Hong Kong has been participating in various international assessments to understand more about the capabilities of Hong Kong students and the key factors that shape their learning effectiveness.

     

    Hong Kong students’ overall performance in both the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study exceeding the international average is a testament to the brilliance of students, the teaching effectiveness of schools and teachers, and the strengths of Hong Kong’s education system.

     

    The Education Bureau attaches great importance to teachers’ continuing professional development. To enhance teachers’ professional competencies, the bureau has been providing diversified training programmes, organising teacher professional development programmes in collaboration with local, Mainland and overseas universities, and offering scholarships to encourage teachers to participate in overseas exchanges and training activities.

     

    In terms of education equity, PISA results showed that the family background and socio-economic status of Hong Kong students had a relatively small impact on their performance, reflecting that Hong Kong’s education system enables equal education opportunities.

     

    To ensure that every student has access to quality education, the bureau has developed a broad and balanced 15-year school curriculum framework, and in addition to engaging students in a diverse range of life-wide learning activities, it offers various programmes to support e-learning.

     

    The bureau has also been providing non-Chinese speaking students with all-encompassing learning support and implementing the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education.

     

    Apart from delivering the keynote speech, Ms Choi met several UK education officials, including UK Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson, UK Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) at the Department for Education Catherine McKinnell and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children & Families) at the Department for Education Janet Daby, to discuss the strengthening of education collaboration between the two places.

     

    Additionally, Ms Choi met education officials from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attending the forum to explore room for education collaboration between Hong Kong and Belt & Road countries. She also met an official of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology to discuss the strengthening of education co-operation.

     

    Ms Choi then visited Imperial College London to learn about its experience in the promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education in secondary and primary schools, as well as the preparation of the relevant teaching materials for schools.

     

    Furthermore, Ms Choi paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang to introduce the latest education developments in Hong Kong.

     

    On May 20, the education chief will meet local education officials to discuss enhancing higher education collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong. She also plans to exchange views with representatives of several UK universities and share Hong Kong’s latest developments in building into an international education hub.

     

    Ms Choi will conclude her visit on the same day and return to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Audible traffic signals to be upgraded

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Transport Department today announced a citywide gradual renewal of electronic audible traffic signals (eATS) at signalised crossings, with new features being incorporated that provide convenience for the visually impaired and other people.

    The original units indicate the status of pedestrian traffic to visually impaired people by emitting sound and vibration signals so that they know when to cross the road safely.

    At some crossings with higher vehicle flows and lower pedestrian traffic, eATS units are equipped with a pedestrian push-button function. The green pedestrian signal will only be activated after it is pressed, allowing more vehicles to pass through the junction.

    Besides retaining these existing functions, five new features have been added to the new-generation eATS units to better meet users’ needs.

    An illumination unit is installed at the top of the new units, making it easier for those with amblyopia to locate the pedestrian crossing.

    Secondly, a tactile map is provided on the side of the units, providing layout information about the crossing for the visually impaired.

    A voice message about the crossing’s location is also added. By pressing the activation button at the bottom, the device will read out the name of streets near the crossing in Cantonese, Putonghua and English to inform users of their location.

    Fourthly, a touchless pedestrian push button sensor is provided, allaying users’ hygiene concerns.

    The fifth feature is a new night-time operation mode. When no visually impaired people are seeking to cross the road at night, the unit’s operating volume will be lower than the existing level to reduce its impact on neighbouring residents.

    Visually impaired people can use the remote-control function on a newly designed dedicated wireless device, or the “HKeMobility” mobile app, to temporarily increase volume on an eATS unit when they need to cross the road.

    About 15,000 dedicated wireless devices will be distributed free of charge to visually impaired people in the third quarter of this year to launch the new function.

    The Transport Department said most of the existing eATS units have exceeded their normal lifespan after being in operation for over two decades, adding that their fault rate has been increasing, necessitating a large-scale replacement.

    The department commenced replacement of some 13,000 eATS units at about 2,000 junctions across the city from April in phases, and the replacement is expected to be completed by end-2027.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –